Banquette Sofa
2010s American Modern Sofas
Cotton, Maple
Antique Early 1800s Swedish Empire Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Teak
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Sofas
Mahogany
Vintage 1930s Sofas
Linen
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Oak, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Oak
20th Century Sofas
Fabric
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Velvet
2010s Modern Sofas
Faux Leather, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Linen, Maple, Trimming
2010s American Other Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Teak
20th Century Art Deco Benches
Leather, Velvet
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Wood, Upholstery
2010s American Modern Benches
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Organic Modern Coffee and Cockt...
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Minimalist Side Tables
Maple
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Sofas
Velvet
20th Century French Sofas
Mahogany, Leather, Feathers
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Silk, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
20th Century French Art Deco Sofas
Bronze, Steel
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Sofas
2010s Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Faux Leather, Lucite, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool
Antique Late 19th Century French Sofas
Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Mohair, Upholstery
Vintage 1980s Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Lucite
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Settees
Vintage 1950s Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Sofas
Velvet
Early 2000s Sofas
Crystal
Antique Mid-19th Century French Canapes
Wood
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Vintage 1940s Swedish Sofas
Wood, Leather
Late 20th Century Sofas
Fabric
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1810s French Empire Sofas
Elm
1990s Sofas
Fabric
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Sofas
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Sofas
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Sofas
Early 2000s French Modern Sofas
Metal
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century American Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Sofas
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1930s French Sofas
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Sofas
Brass
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Down
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Sectional Sofas
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Vintage 1980s French Modern Sofas
Leather, Mirror, Wood
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
Early 2000s American Ottomans and Poufs
Textile, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Benches
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Walnut
1990s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century Spanish Settees
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Louis XV Settees
Fabric, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
Vintage 1930s Czech Industrial Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
Leather, String
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Brass
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bouclé, Velvet, Beech, Linen
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Granite, Marble, Brass
20th Century French Other Dining Room Tables
Marble, Iron
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Glass, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Korean Cabinets
Nickel
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Children's Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
Antique 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1960s Italian Wall Lights and Sconces
Wood
20th Century English Early Victorian Sterling Silver
Crystal, Sterling Silver
20th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal, Brass
Banquette Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Banquette Sofa?
Finding the Right Sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
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